Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

Christmas means getting gifts, especially for kids. While getting gifts is always nice, to me, the most fun thing is to find the perfect gift, to show someone you care about them, and are thankful for their friendship/help/etc. It's important for me to teach him the importance of giving back and showing others we care about them. That's something I've been trying to teach my son since he was little.

Here are 4 ways to teach our children the importance of giving this holiday season:

1. Give them a budget and let them pick something for their favorite people. In my son's school, they have a holiday boutique and the children can take their money and pick something for their favorite people. My son recently did this. We talked about a budget, how many dollars for each person (it's not a lot of money, a couple of dollars per person, it is more about the thought) and who he wanted to buy something for. Off he went with 10 dollar bills and a list of three people. When he came back, he showed me what he bought, and he said "I really like buying gifts for people. It's nice."

2. Engage them in wrapping, making gift tags, baking cookies for others, etc. When my son was younger, I used arts and crafts as a way for him to be engaged in the holiday season. We made wrapping paper (a great way to get them to sit still and concentrate while you do the real wrapping!) and now that he can write, he makes gift cards.

3. Talk about it! Talk about the importance of giving to others and doing good deeds. Conversations don't have to be speeches, they can be as simple as "Abuelo loves you and picks you up from school. He's so nice for buying you ice cream too! Why don't we get him a little gift to show him how grateful we are that he is such a good abuelo?" It doesn't have to be a family member. We can talk about how hard the mailman works to bring us all the packages all year round, and that is why we are baking him cookies, for example.

4. Donate to charity. Talk to your children about giving back and helping others by donating to charity. Children can give back to their church, their schools, their parks, homeless shelters, libraries. There are many ways to give back! You can donate clothing, books, toys, your time! Some families make decisions about giving back to their favorite organizations as a whole family, and children chip into their piggie banks to make donations!

Mamis, share with us! How do you teach your kids to give this holiday season?

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

As you probably already know, paid maternity (or family) leave is not the law of the land in the United States. We are the only industrialized nation to not have paid leave (along with Papua New Guinea). We have something called FMLA, but this does not guarantee paid time off, it only guarantees time off, up to 12 weeks, for the birth of a child, if you are working in a certain type of company.

Luckily for many parents, and thanks to countless hours of advocacy work, we are seeing states taking matters into their own hands and enacting paid family leave laws of their own.

New York will be added to the list of the states making paid leave a reality for its families. As of January 1st, 2018 New Yorkers will have access to paid family leave, and it isn’t only for moms (and dads) to bond with their little ones!

Paid family leave in NY can be used for the following:

* to bond with a new child (through birth, adoption or foster care)

* to care for a sick family member due to a serious illness

* to help relieve pressure due to military deployment of a spouse.

Here are some more details about Paid Family Leave in NY:

Ultimately, it will provide 12 weeks of paid leave, however it will be phased in: employees will be eligible for 8 weeks of paid leave in 2018, and weeks will be increased until 2021, when 12 weeks are reached:

Paid family leave will also cover part time workers, not only full time employees.

If you had a baby in 2017, you may be eligible to take paid family leave in 2018.

During the time you are off, your employer must continue your health insurance coverage. If you are responsible for a portion, you must continue paying it while you are on leave.

You have job protection while you are taking PFL.

You may not be discriminated against for taking paid family leave.

Paid family leave in New York is employee funded, employees in New York have been contributing to the fund since the summer, through a small payroll deduction (equivalent to 0.126% of weekly wage, max of est. $1.65/week).

The law does come with some restrictions. For example, some public employees are not covered. Self-employed and union workers can opt in. (please visit ny.gov/paidfamilyleave to get more information).

According to Madeleine Villanueva, Program Manager for the NY Paid Leave Coalition, paid family leave took 16 years to come to fruition. The law will be phased in; by the time it is completely phased in, parents and family members will have access to 12 weeks of paid time off. The benefit will start at 8 weeks at 50% pay (calculated by the average wage in NY, not your own) and increasing until 67% of wages is reached in 2021.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

The first time I took my daughter to a restaurant she was a couple of weeks old. She slept through the dinner, and I was so thankful to get out of my pajamas and the (what seems like) never-ending breastfeeding and diaper changes. When she woke up, we were having dessert and I breastfed her right there. With my firstborn, I remember running back to my son (around the corner) to breastfeed. How times change! My son was a regular at our local Italian place. I enjoy dining out with kids- because the opposite would be me always staying home in my pjs.

Has anyone ever told you you shouldn’t take your kids to eat out? Have you been offended by this? Enraged even? I would be, and I wouldn’t listen. Here are some reasons why I encourage moms and dads to take their children out and have a yummy meal:

1. Kids are people. They are not aliens. Why should they be excluded from something as normal as eating with their family?

2. Kids must learn to eat and behave in restaurants. In Europe, kids in school eat with real utensils and eat real food. In many Latin American countries, (if not all) kids eat what adults eat... they also eat out with their parents. Kids must learn to sit down and get through a meal in a public setting. How are they going to learn if they never go out to eat? It is part of being in society, learning to be with others.

3. Mom and dad shouldn’t have to stay home just became they (gasp) became parents. It is almost as if society wants to punish us for reproducing... already, being a parent in the USA is extremely hard, you know, with the lack of paid leave, paid sick time, gender inequality, and so much more.

4. Taking kids out to restaurants might make them more open to trying new foods!

We've always taken our kids to restaurants, since they were babies. Sure, there are evenings when it is only Mom and Dad, but for the most part, our children go to restaurants with us and I intend to keep doing it. Of course, we must use our judgment when we take our kids out. We don’t need to take them to the latest five-star Michelin rated restaurant at 10pm.

Here are my 5 tips when dining out with kids:

1. Start off slow and stay local. The first time you take your child out, it may seem daunting. So much stuff to bring with you, so many questions (Do they have a changing table? a high chair? Do I need to bring x,y z?) I recommend easing into it, maybe go out for coffee, or have breakfast. Something that doesn't take too long so you can get comfortable with the process. ALso, if you're close to home you know that you can run home if you really need to. The first time I went out to eat with my firstborn, I was around the corner, and as I mentioned earlier, I ran home to breastfeed him because I was too embarassed to do it in the restaurant (fast forward to baby number two, and I don't really care!)
2. Do a little research on the place. Thanks to online parenting groups, you can probably get the low down on which restaurants are "family-friendly" - ask other parents where the service is good, where they have high chairs and changing tables... some places even have crayons for older kids!
3. Be mindful of the timing. I would recommend doing brunch and lunch over evening meals. If you’re going to eat dinner, make it an early seating so you can be done close to bedtime and the children don’t have a meltdown.

4. Do what works for you. You may have also seen somewhere on the internet, people complaining that parents let their kids use tablets and other electronic devices when they are at restaurants... well... do what works for you. If the tablet gives you peace so you can actually drink your coffee (or mimosa?) while it is still hot, then I say bienvenue to the tablet!

5. Relax! If your kid cries (and she might!) You can always go outside for a walk. Be apologetic but not too apologetic. Like I said, kids are people and they deserve to be a. with their parents and 2. out in the world.

I really believe eating out helps moms not feel isolated, which can happen many times as a new mother. I also think it helps parents to get out of the house, and connect outside the home. I encourage you to eat out with your babies and kids!

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

​

My daughter is 8 months old and in shopping for warm pants for her I have come to realize this: clothing companies are already conditioning our girls (YES AS BABIES) that they should be wearing tight clothing.

A few months ago I remember moms talking about this in a social media parenting group, but I scrolled over without paying much attention. But this weekend I saw it with my two own eyes while shopping. These were the differences I saw:

HOW BABY GIRL'S CLOTHING IS DIFFERENT THAN BOYS':

The fabric.
At a particular clothing store (available all over the world), "girl" pants are made of thinner material, and they weren't any wide leg pants available. If you're thinking "wide legs aren't in" I'd say OK, except that the boy section had a bunch of comfy sweatpant-like bottoms for boys, but when I looked for the same in the "girls" section, there were none. Most of the pants were all like leggings.

"Boy" pants are warmer, thicker, and quite frankly, look more comfortable for the baby.

The cut is awful.

Why are baby clothes being cut differently? Are baby boy bodies that different to baby girl bodies? Of course, I'm not talking about private parts.

Are baby girls not chubby in the same places as boys? Are baby girls' calves thinner? Do they feel less cold than boys? Why is this even a thing? What possessed whoever designed these pants to think that girls need skinny pants?

And the jeans? Can a baby girl breathe in them puh-lease? How about some room for that diaper?

Girls get no color variety.

I'm not complaining about what we all know, that boys get blue and girls get pink. While this is largely the case, I do think boys have more options.

From what I've seen boys get a wide spectrum of colors: yellows, browns, all shades of blue, grays. Girls? White, pink, shades of pink. That's pretty much it.

Why can't we have cute pants in a navy blue, dark red? Colors that won't stain as easily? Fabrics that are comfortable, durable and warm. Baby girls need to be warm too.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

​Making your own baby food can seem daunting at first, but with a little planning it can be really easy! As a working mom, I feel like I'm always pressed for time. I didn't think that I'd be able to make all of my baby's meals, but I realized that it can be easy with a little planning and with the right gear.

Here are 5 tips to make homemade baby food:

1. Have the right equipment (you don't need a lot!) With my first baby, I had a fancy baby machine. I'm not going to lie, it might life somewhat easier, but that being said, it is easy to make your own food with a couple of kitchen tools you may already have. I use a steam cooker to steam the fruits and veggies and use a hand immersion blender to mix. I've also used a food processor. Now the my baby is older, I sometimes use a fork to mash it so it can have some texture.

2. Buy in season and in bulk. Buying in season will not only save you money, but it also means the fruits and veggies are the tastiest. If apples are in season, buy those and present them in different blends. (Adding apples to anything makes everything yummier, in my opinion). If you can't buy in season, then you can buy frozen too (this is what I do!)

3. Don't be afraid of spices. In the beginning, we are wary to give our babies too much, too soon. Sure, we should introduce one new food at a time to check for allergies, but we don't have to be afraid of flavors! People in other cultures give their children spices from early on. Personally, I love cinnamon, turmeric, garlic. I also use a tiny bit of butter and some olive oil if we are roasting the veggies before pureeing them.

3. Make batches during the weekend and freeze. For this, you will also need containers to save the baby food. There are many on the market: ice cube trays with lids, glass jars, plastic jars. I usually fill up the ice cube trays and then transfer those cubes once frozen to a container or a bag, and label with a date and what kind of food it is. Freezing for me is a life saver since the evenings tend to be super rushed.

5. If baby doesn't like it, try, try and try again. Don't get discouraged if your baby doesn't want to try a new flavor, or if the baby tries and doesn't want to eat it! The experience of trying new foods must be a big deal to our little ones-- they are discovering everything! New tastes, new textures, vibrant colors. Sometimes they may want to just play with the food! (I know my daughter does!)

If you make your own baby food, tell us, what does your baby love? My baby loves the apple, pear, carrots combo. And don't forget to share your best baby food making tips below.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

If trick-or-treating is not your thing, or if you love to entertain, maybe you're planning a kids Halloween party for your little ones.

I like Halloween parties because the kids are contained at home. No worries about crossing the streets, or the kind of candy that you will get. You can have a somewhat relaxed evening knowing that the kids are having fun in a safe environment.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

Earlier this year, my husband became a vegan. My former meat-loving, cheese adoring husband. My French husband. VEGAN. It was a whirlwind of emotions: I'm partly proud of him. Health-wise it is a great decision to make, and he has great other reasons for becoming vegan. He also goes food shopping and he cooks a lot at home, so that certainly helps me, but I'm not going to lie: It's not the easiest thing in the world. Most of all, I miss family dinners where we all eat the same thing (My son and I are not vegan). Which leads me to my question: Should we become a vegan family?

I don't have to be sold on the benefits of a plant-based diet, I know there are many. I also know that there is a lot of protein in other foods, and we don't need meat to get protein.

The issue is that, honestly, my son and I enjoy eating non-vegan foods. We like pizza. We like butter, and cheese. We could probably do without meat, but my son's favorite food is eggs.

I watch as my husband tries to encourage my son to leave the meat on his plate and just eat the veggies. When I look at him doing it, he says, "Yes, I'm doing it, he needs to know, all he needs is on the left side of the plate." (The veggie side).

A VEGAN BABY? A VEGAN FAMILY?

Now that we have a baby my husband has already expressed interest in never giving her cow's milk, and right now, she's a baby so she only really eats fruits and vegetables. I remember when my son was little, he actually never had the meat in the jar (or very rarely). The idea of meat in a jar freaked me out. Really, the meat is a non-issue now. But as she gets older, will we give her the same foods we gave our son? He loves it all: especially cheese, eggs, butter.

My son is six, and he asks question about being a vegan. He understands it. He asks if he were a vegan, can he eat "X." That's his litmus test for deciding whether to be a vegan or not. For now, he likes pepperoni pizza too much to become a vegan.

So, no, I don't think we can be a vegan family. Being a mixed non-vegan/vegan family isn't easy. It's made me think outside the box on recipes we can ALL eat as a family. I hate it when we have completely different types of food on the table for dinner.

Maybe one day, we will take that plunge; who knows. If anyone had told me my meat-eating husband would become a vegan I would've laughed it off, and yet here we are. So, never say never. For now, I'm going to keep an open mind and continue finding recipes we can all enjoy and eat as non-vegan/vegan family.

If you're part of a mixed non-vegan/vegan family, share your recipes and tips below, I'd love to check them out.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

When we think of how hard it is to be a mother in the United States, and how having a baby can affect the financial security of a family, we usually think about the added costs (diapers are expensive!) and the lack of paid parental leave. Of course, those things undoubtedly affect a family's financial stability, and those are valid. The one thing we rarely talk about or think about is how having a baby will affect someone's credit score and what effects that can have on a family's financial freedom. ​

Did you ever think that your credit score would be affected by having a baby?

Yes, that little number that is more important than your SATs or GPA will ever be. That number that dictates whether you can purchase a home and what kind of APR you get when you want to finance something.

I never thought one's credit score could be affected by motherhood, but it can. All these things can have a negative impact on your credit score:

Yes, becoming a mom certainly has an impact on a family's financial security.

Here's how having a baby impacts your credit score

First, you're using your credit cards more frequently, so the rate of utilization goes up. This is a factor in determining your credit score.

Second, you are probably not making large payments, maybe just the bare minimum, maybe your minimum payment due. This also impacts your credit score.

Third, you GASP may be late on a payment or two. Because, you know, with a newborn and all, sometimes you just forget to make that payment.

Fourth, you may take out a new credit card with a zero APR in order to help finance some of the baby costs, or use it to pay off your ridiculously high deductible (despite the fact that you have "good" insurance... sound familiar?)

I never thought that on top of everything else I have to worry about, I'd have to worry about my credit score! So, I'm sounding the alarm so that you're not caught off guard like I was!

Mamas, did you unexpectedly see your credit score suffer when you had a baby?

Diana Limongi

Baby clothes are so cute but babies outgrow them so quickly! Not only that, all baby clothes and gear can quickly clutter our homes, especially if you live in an apt like we do.

Some people do not like putting gently used clothes on their babies and prefer new clothing but I think it's great idea and makes so much sense! First, it's a huge money saver! Second, when you recycle baby clothes you are helping reduce waste in our planet. Finally, you're definitely helping another family out! It's really a win-win!

Here are some easy ways to recycle baby clothes:

Have a clothing swap -

Get your friends together and have them bring their unwanted baby clothes and have a swap between friends. If you want, get organized and make it a community affair! You can contact churches or community organizations who may be interested in providing this kind of event for their community members.

Sell it!

Many times our baby's clothing is so new, it still has tags on it! Or, it's the dress that she literally wore once for 30 minutes. You can sell it! There are many ways to sell items, Facebook has dedicated groups for this kind of exchange. Or, you can sell it in a consignment store.

Give it away!

This is my favorite option- ​because it eliminates the hassle of pricing, dropping off, and picking up. Also, it's good for the soul! I received many baby clothes and baby gear for my second baby- I love paying it forward. Even with my older son's clothes, I've given them away and when I see that they are being used I feel like they still have life! And let's be real, do babies need new clothes all the time? Sometimes babies outgrow their clothes so fast! Why not pass it along to someone who can really use it?

If you want to donate it to charity, I recommend finding a charity that can really use baby clothes, not just giving it to goodwill or another thrift store.

]]>https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/mamas/la-igualdad-entre-generos-comienza-en-casa-con-nuestros-hijos/feed/1Uniforms in schools: Why I won't be opting my kid out of uniform, even though I couldhttps://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/spanglish_mamis/uniforms-in-schools-not-opting-out/
https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/spanglish_mamis/uniforms-in-schools-not-opting-out/#commentsFri, 25 Aug 2017 17:25:52 +0000https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/?post_type=spanglish_mamis&p=179821Lee más »]]>

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

It seems like every year around this time, there is a debate about uniforms in schools. For me, it was what I always knew- I wore a uniform my whole life... until I got to college. Truthfully, I didn't know what to do with myself-- the thought of having to pick out clothes wasn't liberating - it was daunting... before I'd get up and go - no uniforms meant I had to put thought into I was wearing.

Should parents have the option to opt out? Personally, I think it lessens the impact of the uniform policy, but I also understand why there is the option to opt out, especially in public school. Interestingly enough, in many other countries even public schools have uniform policies, and parents save to buy the supplies and uniforms for the school year.

It's a personal choice, but I think uniforms have many benefits, so even though I could opt out, I do support the decision. Also, I knew it was a uniform school when I registered. For me, the uniform is a part of the program, it would never be a factor in not choosing the school. Here's why I wholeheartedly support uniforms in schools:

Uniforms make getting ready for school so much easier - there is no arguing over what top or pants my kid may want to wear. (Though truthfully sometimes he wants to wear a yellog shirt instead of a green shirt, Ha!)

Uniforms help identify children when they go on trips.

Clothing isn't a distraction in the classroom or school. Many school officials spend time "policing" what is appropriate attire and what isn't, with uniforms, there's no need for that. Also, your child won't beg you to buy him the "sweatshirt that Billy has." Kids don't need to have that latest fashionable clothing (though they may ask for the latest backpack!) and clothing doesn't become a distraction in the classroom (looking at the colors, reading what is written on the clothing, etc).

Uniforms can reduce stigma and bullying- If all kids wear the same thing, no need to worry about brand names.

Back to school shopping is so much easier. There is no negotiating, no begging for the latest sneakers or leggings they just "have to have." My biggest worry is that what I buy is good quality and hoping that they will last the whole year (notwithstanding a growth spurt).

Uniform sales can be a big source of fundraising for the school.

Contrary to popular belief, kids who wear uniforms DO have ways to express their individuality- many people think uniforms stymie that. But children can still wear their hair how they want, wear the shoes and accessories they want. (Depending on how strict the school is of course).

Uniform colors can build a sense of pride among the students. I remember all the colors I wore proudly, even today! Uniforms can create a sense of unity and make kids proud of their school. They can also highlight the school's mission. Our tees say "RISE" Respect, Integrity, Self-Discipline and Excellence. It's a great way to inspire our kids.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

Sometimes the parent who isn't breastfeeding can feel left out. After all, breastfeeding is an incredibly special bonding moment between mother and child. As a partner, you may feel that you're not that important, if the baby cries, it's the mom who has the goods! But non-lactating parents don't have to feel left out, there are many ways they can also participate in the process and help mom out as well.

Moms need all the help we can get! Here are 5 ways to support the breastfeeding mom in your life:

1. If mom feeds, you burp!

When I came home with my daughter, i was always exhausted because she was cluster feeding. So we divided the work: I fed, and my husband burped (and changed more diapers too!)

2. Help put the baby to sleep.

Since I wake up to feed the baby in the middle of the night, it is my husband who rocks her to sleep in the evening. It's their special bonding time.

3. Give expressed milk in a bottle (help mom take a break!)

If you pump milk, this is a great way to have a bit of free time. This allows the other parent to participate in the feedings, (and anyone else who may be around to help you, like grandparents or brave childless friends who come visit!) and mom can get a break (and run to get a pedicure too!, or coffee with a friend?)

4. Cleaning bottles, pump parts is a huge help for breastfeeding moms who pump.

I pump at work, so every evening I have to prepare everything for the following day. It's a huge help to have this part done, so I can concentrate on other baby tasks, or run into the shower, etc. This is especially helpful in the mornings when I'm running around trying to get out the door.

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

Honestly, before coming a public school mom I thought art, gym, music, and recess where all givens in schools. Boy was I wrong! When I started doing research and talking to other parents I learned that no-- not all children have access to these their schools! Not all kids get art or music, often considered "extras" as they are the first things to go when the budgets need tightening. Recess is no exception. Many times there is lack of space or lack of personnel to watch the children during recess. Other times school decide that they want to prioritize "class instructional time" or "test prep" ahead of recess.

But allowing our kids to run around at recess is very important. It's not only about running around, the act of running around with peers is about so much more than that. Recess is actually fundamental and it is something that children should have access to daily!

Unfortunately the trend since No Child Left Behind was passed in 2001 was more focus on classroom time, and recess was drastically cut. Fortunately, now there are many school districts who are listening to the research and putting recess back into the school day.

Most recently, the State Legislature in Florida opted to make recess a daily occurrence. In a July 2017 memo, school superintendents in Florida were instructed that starting in 2017-2018 students would have at least 100 minutes of free, unstructured playtime per week, and that this time should not be in lieu of physical education (which they should have for 150 minutes a week).

A research study compared children's focus in the classroom on days without recess versus days when recess was given. The study found that on those days that students had recess, they were less fidgety and more focused.

School aged children should be running around and because we require them to sit down and focus for such long periods of time (sometimes 40-50 minutes!) they need that time to decompress.

2. Daily recess can help children be physically active and curb childhood obesity.

According to the CDC, there are over 12 million children (ages 2-19) that are considered obese in the United States, about 17% of children. Daily recess could help children get moving, especially in communities where children do not have access to parks and playgrounds.

3. Recess is a time when children develop social emotional skills such as negotiating, conflict resolution skills, sharing, etc.

The National Association of Early Childhood Specialists stresses the importance of recess as "one of the few places and times during the day when all these developmental domains are utilized in a context that children view as meaningful." It is one thing for a teacher to discuss the importance of sharing or how to negotiate among students. It is another thing for children to have to do it themselves, in a context that is important to them, as would be a recess game.

4. Children learn best through play.

Play is the best way to engage children. Yes, we can give them worksheets and ask them to drill into their brains how many different ways you can get to 10, but wouldn't it be better to let them run in the playground, collect rocks and twigs and let them figure out how many twigs they need to get to 10? Wouldn't it be better to introduce fractions and measurements with fun things such as cooking classes than with boring worksheets?

The most recent success in Florida was no doubt in part to committed parents who demanded change. They mobilized through social media, (notably a Facebook group called Recess for all Florida students) and encouraged parents to contact their school representatives and hold schools accountable.

5. Recess is a right!

If we are depriving our children of the ability to play at such an early age, what are we telling them? They will have plenty of time to work work work when they are older! Did you know that according to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child recess is a right?

So, mamas, do you know if you child gets daily recess in school? If they do not, it's time to raise your voice and demand change for our kids! They have the right to play and recess should be part of a child's daily schedule!

]]>https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/mamas/como-papa-puede-ayudar-a-la-mama-que-amamanta/feed/0#IPumpedHere … Where have you had to pump?https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/spanglish_mamis/ipumpedhere-where-have-you-had-to-pump/
https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/spanglish_mamis/ipumpedhere-where-have-you-had-to-pump/#respondFri, 04 Aug 2017 15:28:05 +0000https://espanol.babycenter.com/blog/?post_type=spanglish_mamis&p=177993Lee más »]]>

Diana Limongi

publicado en Spanglish Mamis

​The lack of adequate pumping spaces in workplaces and society in general is a real issue for nursing moms.MomsRising, a nonprofit group that works to improve the lives of women and children in the United States, has started a campaign called #IPumpedHere to raise awareness and demand changes on this front.

Why is supporting mothers who pump important? In order to support their breastfeeding goals. Moms in the United States who lack access to paid leave are being forced back to work much earlier than they should be, not allowing their bodies to properly heal or to successfully establish breastfeeding with their babies.

In their research MomsRising found that 60% of pumping moms have no adequate time and/or space to pump at work.

Unfortunately for many mothers, the lack of cleans spaces to pump is one factor in giving up on breastfeeding.

Another factor is time. Even though the law mandates that nursing mothers get break times in order to express milk, many mothers do not have access to breaks to pump.

What does the law say?

"Employers are required to provide “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk.” Employers are also required to provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.”"

"Employers are required to provide a reasonable amount of break time to express milk as frequently as needed by the nursing mother. The frequency of breaks needed to express milk as well as the duration of each break will likely vary."

A bathroom, even if private, is not a permissible location under the Act. The location provided must be functional as a space for expressing breast milk. If the space is not dedicated to the nursing mother’s use, it must be available when needed in order to meet the statutory requirement. A space temporarily created or converted into a space for expressing milk or made available when needed by the nursing mother is sufficient provided that the space is shielded from view, and free from any intrusion from co-workers and the public."

Help moms meet their breastfeeding goals!

According to the Surgeon General, mothers who work full-time tend to breastfeed for shorter durations than do part-time or unemployed mothers. Due to the lack of support and resources, returning to work is associated with early discontinuation of breastfeeding.

What can I do?

Cars, janitor closets, park benches, bathrooms, (EWWWW ) Where have you pumped? Share your story with us below and make sure to support #IPumpedHere all over social media! You can even upload your picture to Instagram using #IPumpedHere!